What do YOU think?

BY LINDSAY SAUVAGEAU LSAUVAGEAU@LEOMINSTERCHAMP.COM

Friday

Feb 8, 2008 at 12:01 AM

In the midst of another cold and flu season, members of the Leominster Senior Center on Pond Street took the time last week to talk about how they keep themselves hearty and healthy throughout the winter.

Director Joan Fitzgerald said keeping healthy is easy if people listen to their bodies and are conscientious about spreading germs.

"If you're tired, rest, if you're thirsty, drink. It's important to keep hydrated and take a multi-vitamin, One-a-Day can give you everything your body needs. If you're feeling ill, then call a doctor, don't wait until you're so sick you can't even move," she said. "And when you feel a sneeze or a cough coming on, do it into your elbow and use tissues, don't use handkerchiefs."

Fitzgerald said she tries to tell her seniors not to be afraid of getting sick, that staying healthy means keeping active.

"I tell my seniors to get out and be with people," she said. "If you stay inside all day long trying to avoid getting sick, the second you walk out your door you'll catch something, because you need to build up an immunity to things."

While enjoying a game of Mahjong, Yvonne St. Hilaire and Doris St. Jean said the trick to keeping healthy is staying active and informed.

"It takes staying out of the cold," said St. Hilaire. "I keep active. I volunteer here and in Townsend."

"And you have to keep up with the latest news to keep yourself informed," added St. Jean.

Waiting for lunch, Senior Center members Anna Perreault and May Killelea both said taking care of their bodies and eating right keep them enjoying the center's day-to-day activities.

"You have to wear layered clothing," said Perreault. "And I take vitamins every day. I take One- A-Day for seniors and it works. I haven't yet been sick."

"I like to come here and eat the healthy food that's nutritionally put together," said Killelea. "And I haven't been sick yet."

Senior Center Secretary Laurane Brooks said she tries to stop colds before they happen by drinking extra orange juice and using hand sanitizer every now and then.

"When I feel a cold coming on I usually use Ziacam and it really helps. It comes in a gel or tablets and if you use it before you start getting really sick, you don't feel the full effects of it," Brooks said. "I also keep my soups handy. They make me feel better and help me get myself to work."

Other center members recommended keeping busy by knitting or going for walks, and one center member revealed her healthy streak was all luck.

"If you knew what my diet was, you'd never believe that I stay so healthy," she said.

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